The Red Devils suffered a 2 - 1 defeat on Saturday afternoon at hands of perpetual tormentors Brighton, as the Seagulls kept the United team under a constant press that coughed up chance after chance at the American Express Stadium.
Erik ten Hag continued with his false nine tactics, starting an unchanged squad from last week's game against Fulham. Again, Bruno Fernandes proved to be ineffective in the central forward role, with Mason Mount quiet in attacking midfield. Manchester United’s attacking department lacked the teeth to undo their hosts in the opening stages, and they were sorely punished for it.
Joao Pedro was architect for the chaos in the run-up to Brighton's opener, playing in a cross that no one dealt in the United box. Kaoru Mitoma latched on to the loose ball and pulled it back for former Red Devil Danny Welbeck to notch his 100th career goal in the 32nd minute.
The United attack looked to have gotten their motivation after going behind, as Marcus Rashford put the ball at the back of the net on second attempt off a brilliant back heel only to have it chalked off for offside. It was more of the visitors from then on, as the Seagulls were happy to absorb pressure.
The second half resumed with Brighton maintaining a firm grip on match proceedings despite receiving a lot of questions from Manchester United’s attack. Joshua Zirkzee entered the fray for Mason Mount at halftime, and fans felt a goal was on the way.
It indeed came in the 60th minute, as Amad Diallo got on the end of Noussair Mazraoui’s slipped through ball to curl home his first goal of the season, courtesy of a big Van Hecke deflection. It was a flurry of United chances after that, and Zirkzee looked to have secured a lead in the 70th minute, only to have it ruled out for being offside.
It was a cagey affair from then at the Amex stadium, as Brighton tried to organise play against a desperate United side. Substitute Julio Enciso’s corner proved decisive at the end, as fellow substitute Simon Adingra put the ball on a plate for an unmarked Joao Pedro to power home in the 95th minute.
It was late in the game, but it had been Brighton’s game all along. James Milner saw his effort cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot and Danny Welbeck was denied a brace by the woodwork, but the Seagulls were not to be denied the pleasure of torturing United yet again.
As for the Red Devils, the team is looking better composed all over, but there still seems to be a Mason-Greenwood-shaped hole in their attack that Zirkzee can only hope to fill.
Up next for the hosts is a mid-week home game against Crawley Town in the EFL Cup before they travel to London to face the in-form Gunners. Manchester United, on the other hand, play host to fellow northerners Liverpool in the league on Saturday.
